RV-14 or RV-10? What were your arguments?

[mjanduda]

Hey builders,

I am a bit afraid there are already twenty threads about this, but I couldn't really find them.
I'm thinking about building an RV myself. I'd like to build an IFR capable plane. I do not like to build lots of carbon stuff (have had enough of carbon building at university). And I like XC and some acro. The idea to visit different continents with my own plane is appealing.
Now I'm not sure whether to go with a ten or a fourteen.

What where your thoughts when deciding pro RV-14?

Best,
Malte

[Mike S]

Malte-----welcome to VAF

Originally Posted by mjanduda

And I like XC and some acro.

The 10 is a great cross country ship, but it is not acro.

The 14 is acro rated.

[flynwest]

If the 14 will do the job you only pay insurance on 2 seats not 4. If you don't need the 4 seats. I have had four seaters in the past and only filled the seats a handful of times.

[mjanduda]

Originally Posted by flynwest

If the 14 will do the job you only pay insurance on 2 seats not 4. If you don't need the 4 seats. I have had four seaters in the past and only filled the seats a handful of times.

True. I already thought about a three seater RV-10 with some extras instead of a fourth back seat. Long range tanks, more luggage space or an A/C.
Also the ten is a bit more stable and comfortable for XC?
BUT you cannot do loops...

[rvator10]

How much $$ do you want to spend?
Use Vans calculator and add $20k for any upgrades.
This may help make your decision.

[Carl Froehlich]

And the debate continues.

This is what I tell people when they ask me what RV I like best or what they should build:
- If you fly mostly solo and want aerobatics, build the RV-8.
- If you want to be a hero with the spouse and plan on a lot of cross country with her, build the RV-10.
- If you want a compromise between the two, build the RV-14.

Total cost of the RV-10 over the RV-14 is amazingly small. If you build the RV-14 do not get any engine other than the 210hp IO-390. It needs all those ponies.

If you want intercontinental range, the RV-10 best supports ferry tanks.

Carl

[kbalch]

As always, define the mission first. Yours (as described) includes acro, so that's a hard limit right there and eliminates the -10. The -14 will do everything on your list.

I'm building a -14A as it suits my current mission profile exceptionally well. I loved my old -8, but my wife was never happy being relegated to the hapless/helpless position of backseat ballast; she'll be a much more comfortable and confident flyer upfront with me.

I can't remember the last time I needed more than two seats (I'd have to check my logbook, but it's certainly been more than ten years), so I had zero interest in the -10 before even considering its non-acro design. The -14A is the only RV which fits my needs.

Kit-wise, it's simply amazing how much progress has been made since I completed my -8 (from a standard kit) 16 years ago. The -14A is going together very quickly so far...

[jjconstant]

There are a couple of ways of making decisions like this. It is important to differentiate between rational decisions and emotional decisions. Before anyone ?poo-poos? emotional decisions as valid, let?s just remind ourselves that there is really no rational reason ANY of us NEEDS an airplane...but we WANTED one badly enough to invest a lot of money and time in them!

Rational: look at how much it will cost to rent a 4 or more seater, then look at how much it will cost to rent an acro machine of your liking. Then decide which you will want more often and see what the cost differential is of renting the thing you want least frequently. If it?s cheaper to rent your least wanted thing...decision is done. If it is more expensive, then you need to continue the analysis.

Emotional: when someone asks about your plane how will you feel when you explain your choice? Which do you like the look of better? Ask yourself about the irrational aspects of the choice and don?t dismiss their importance.

If you still can?t decide then flip a coin, but instead of paying attention to the result, pay more attention to how you feel about the result. Disappointed by ?heads?? That will tell you what you actually WANT to build!

When you?re done with your choice, avoid second guessing...it will just sour you on the process. Commit and decide to love the build and when it gets frustrating (it will) commit to pushing through. It?s fun at the beginning, fun when major components are completed and fun when it?s done. There is a LONG middle! Try and make that fun too.

[Yank]

I would also recommend sitting in each A/C and see if you (and your spouse) are OK with spending a few hrs in it. I was surprised at how much of a negative feedback I got from my wife on the back seat of the 8. I agree with Carl. The 14 is a jack of all trades, master of none.... that’s what drove my decision to build a 14....

[kbalch]

Originally Posted by Yank

I would also recommend sitting in each A/C and see if you (and your spouse) are OK with spending a few hrs in it. I was surprised at how much of a negative feedback I got from my wife on the back seat of the 8. I agree with Carl. The 14 is a jack of all trades, master of none.... that’s what drove my decision to build a 14....

Agreed completely. My wife was really surprised at how much she preferred the -14A's seating position vs. the -8's.

Re: "...master of none..." - Well, that's the nature of almost all engineered products: compromise. Nearly all aircraft have one or more significant design compromises baked in from the start; we have only to select the set that best fulfills our mission. Or, for some, feels right...